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City budget proposal described as 'lean'

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An 83-percent tax increase that would balance Hazleton's latest budget proposal would still leave several city departments short on funds, according to some city department heads.

Hazleton Mayor Joseph Yannuzzi calls the administration's budget proposal a "lean" spending plan that maintains current staffing levels and operations but at least two department heads have either incorporated funds - or developed wish lists - for maintaining storm water collection lines and new equipment for the police department.

Police Chief Frank DeAndrea shared details of a $756,000 capital budget that accounts for a number of vehicle and equipment purchases for the department. The chief referred to the capital budget as more of a "wish list" that is not included in the $4.1 million in police expenditures that are included in the city's $8.9 million general fund budget.

The general fund police budget, however, includes a $35,160 line item for leasing four vehicles for the police department. Councilwoman Jean Mope said such purchases should be designated for a capital improvements fund that would be separate from the general fund budget and account for vehicle purchases or work to replace garage door at the highway department building.

The police budget also calls for hiring two police officers who would replace personnel that are no longer on the force, the chief noted. If council approves the budget as is, the two replacements would bring police personnel to 38 officers.

His capital "wish list," meanwhile, would purchase evidence tracking software, weapons, new computers for police cruisers, money for buying new portable radios and radios for police cruisers, new police cars, computers and related equipment for the office at City Hall, "ordinance supplies" such as equipment for addressing graffiti and money for paying maintenance agreements for the new computers.

"None of these are in the budget," DeAndrea told council.

Mope asked if the police chief could use money the department receives from seizures for buying some of the equipment, but DeAndrea said he can't build a budget on an inconsistent revenue source that fluctuates from year to year.

DeAndrea, however, said the city police department could receive a financial boost if it receives a $350,000 check from the federal government, which was supposed to be delivered to the police department by Thanksgiving but did not arrive as of Wednesday. The money represents a 7 percent share that Hazleton police should receive from a $4 million seizure, DeAndrea said.

"I'm still waiting for the check," the chief said.

When asked by Mope, DeAndrea said he has received no indication when the money would arrive - and even "if" it will arrive.

In another instance, which DeAndrea said involved an "illegal cigarette case," the city was supposed to receive a $350,000 check. Litigation continued on that case, which dwindled the city's anticipated share down to $89,000, the chief said.

The city's police budget is expected to increase from about $3.5 million this year to around $4.1 million - or by about 20.5 percent - in 2013, according to a budget proposal released Wednesday.

Streets Foreman Frank Vito, meanwhile, worked with the administration to incorporate a $50,000 line item in a $956,957 "street maintenance" budget for repairing inlets and separating storm water collection lines.

In January, the city is expected to turn its sanitary collection lines over to Greater Hazleton Joint Sewer Authority. Because of that, the city will no longer charge an $84 sewer transmission fee - and lose at least $1 million in revenue generated from that fee.

The city, however, will be responsible for repairing storm water inlets, as well as storm water collection lines. Council President James Perry proposed creating a new storm water transmission fee, which would be used for maintaining that system - which is intermingled with sanitary lines. Part of the tax increase included in the $8.9 million budget presented Wednesday would offset that sewage transmission fee.

Vito asked council to consider keeping the $50,000 storm water-related line item in the budget. The money would be used for repairing a deteriorated portion of some 1,200 aged inlets, Vito said. Each inlet costs about $2,500 to repair. Work includes replacing the grate, renovating the frame and inserting a riser to bring the grate to street level, Vito said.

Vito also warned council that aging storm water lines will be in need of replacement over the next five to 10 years. The work could become expensive if it requires using private contractors for more complex projects, Vito said.

The street maintenance budget also includes a $12,000 line item, of which $5,000 would be used for replacing a garage door at the highway garage, Vito said.

The city has already paid to replace three of the seven doors at the garage. Three others are in "relatively good shape."

Vito also hopes to maintain a capital purchase fund that would be used for buying used streets department vehicles from the state. The city has a fleet of smaller dump trucks that are 1986 to 2007 models. Five of the larger trucks that are equipped with plows are 1986 models while three others are from 2003.

Vito's department also operates on a $262,011 "municipal garage" budget.

In this year's budget, the general fund, debt service and recreation fund stand at 3.11 mills. Wednesday's budget proposal would increase the overall tax rate to 5.69 mills. Property taxes for a home with a $92,000 median assessed value would increase from $286.12 this year to $523.12 in 2013.

The budget proposal also calls for increasing part of the city's earned income tax that funds city pensions.

Acting City Administrator Steve Hahn said he has been calling other municipalities and comparing tax rates to give Hazleton residents an idea of how their taxes would compare with other communities.

A home with a $100,000 market value in Williamsport has a $1,050 tax bill, while a home with the same value currently pays $300 in city taxes in Hazleton, Hahn said. If taxes are increased in Hazleton by 83 percent, local property owners would still pay half of what a homeowner in Williamsport pays, Hahn noted.

"It doesn't make it right, but it just shows that a lot of what (Hazleton) is doing is stripped down or is bare bones in terms of some of the services," Hahn added.

sgalski@standardspeaker.com

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